Sectional plumb and level



Aug. 21, 11945. T. F. SEIWELL SECTIONAL BLUMB AND'LEVEL Ruled Aug. 8, 1944 Patented Aug. 21, 1945 of lap joint connection is applied.

snc'rioN L PL nmANnnEvEL Theodore F. Seiwel], Washington, D. C. Application August 1944, Serial No. 548,519 v Claims. .(Ches'z-e) My invention relates to the general 'classof im-' 7 plements designed for use by carpenters and brick layers, with particular reference to a com bined level and plumb of that type which is made up of several joined sections adapted to be disconnected for convenience in carrying the same as well as for the use of any one of the sections independently. a l l The principalobject of my invention is to pro-' vide a particular form of lap-joint and securing means therefor whereby to hold theusections of the plumb and level firmly together in line with each other for use of the implement in this form, and in which the sections may, be easily disconnected by simply pulling themapart longitudinally to release the securing means.

A further object of my invention is to include in the particular construction of 12.1) joint means Other objects and advantages of my improved form of sectional plumb and level .will be apto provide finger holds, as well as a hole near one end for suspending the implement from a nail when it is not in use. Consequently there is a center section In and opposite end sections H andl2, with the center section cutaway at opposite ends to provide laps I3, l3 to cooperate with. laps M of the end sections, and each lap parent from the following description,.in connection with theaccompanying drawing, and what. I claim. as new and desire to protect by the appended claims. 1

In the drawing: i q l Fig-1' is a side elevationillustrating the type of plumb and level to which my improved 'form Letters Patent is more specifically set iforth'in Fig. 2 is an ,enlarged View with thesections partly separated--the end sections bein partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the center section of the plumb and level to illustrate face views of the securing means.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one of the attaching means for the joint.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the companion attaching means, and

Figs. 6 and 7 are rear views of the plates forming part of the respective attaching means for the lap joints by which the sections are connected on a line with each other.

The joint in accordance with my invention is applied to the conventional type of plumb and level composed of three sections connected by lap joints and having the usual appurtenances such as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing; that is bubble tubes to form a spirit level and grooves joint is securely held together by the interlockingdevices hereinafter described.

The connections at oppositeends of the center section are alike, and therefore a description of those at one end will applyto the othersgxthat is to say, where the laps abut-'--at both their outer and inner ends-#the' interlocking devices forholding the sections of the implement together are the same. 3

In carrying out my invention'I provide one of the parts of the. joint with spaced apart prongs I5 projecting fromaplate I6 on the center section of the implement to pass through corresponding holes in a companion plate I! 'onthe end section, eachplate being let into the surface of the sectionto which it is appliedso that when the sections are connected on a line with each other a close joint will be provided as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

To secure theprong plate in place so that it in the form of a nutengaged by a bolt .20 extending through the body of the center section ID from the lower edge thereof-the boss being 10- cated in a recess 18 extending rearwardly from the shallowrecess in which the plate is seated. As the prong. plate is carried by the bolt its position. is maintained against bodilyw outward movement of the. bolt by means; of .a strong helical spring 2| interposed between the boss and bottom of the recess in which it is located, and of course vertical adjustment of the plate is effected by turning the bolt. The plate bears against the inner wall of the shallow recess surrounding recess I8, and this shallow recess is shaped to permit of vertical adjustment of the plate.

The companion plate 11 of the interlocking means is provided with holes 22 through which the prongs I5 pass when the parts of the lap joint are broughttogether, with aligning holes 23 in the section to which the plate is attached so that the prongs can project beyond the inner side of the plate, and in order to firmly hold the sections of the implement together the prongs engage a bow spring 24 seated in a correspondingly shaped recess 25 in the back of the plate, for which purpose the prongs are provided with shallow notches engaged by the expansion of the spring as the prongs ride over the same. It will be noted that the notches are at the inner side of the prongs and shaped to permit the spring to yieldingly engage so that disengagement of the interlocking means may be efiected by exerting a longitudinal pull on the sections of the implement, and. that theends of theeprongs' are rounded so that they may more easily nt r t holes 22 in plate I! when the sections are brought together.

The plate receiving the prongs is se cured in place by screws 26, two of which are having prongs projecting therefrom, said prongs being notched at one side thereof, a keeper plate attached to the companion section and having holes througnwhich the prongs project when 5 the sections of the implement are brought to- 10 the prong plate ,to bring. thetlap; joint together andtherebyinsure a closetfitof tlie'sections.

3. In a sectional plumb and level in which the sections are fitted together by lap joints, of

means for holding the sections together, in aclocated within the bow spring to--not-interfere 1o corclance with claim 2, and in which the adjustwith the functioning of the latter.

The edge of the implement opposite that near which the adjustable plate is located is'provi'ded h with a recess and wear-plate 21 to receivethe head of the bolt so that the latter will be within the straight edgethe plate preventing wear inthe manipulation of the bo1t-and as hereinbefore stated spring 2| holds the bolt and plate securely in place.

From -the foregoing description it will be apparent that a sectional-plumb and level provided with my improved form of interlocking devices can be easily manipulated in connecting the sections together when the implement is to be put it will be understood thata prong plate and adgagethe nut, and a spring exerting tension on justing bolt are provided vatthe inner end of the lap joint of each end sectionas well as at the inner end of the lap joint of the center sectionto cooperate with the keeper plates, and that the end sections of the implement are interchangeable. I

1'. In a sectional plumb and level in which the sections are fitted together by lap joints, of -means for. holding the sections together including a plate attachedto one of the sections and having prongs projecting therefrom,isaidprongs being notchedat one side thereof, a keeper plate attached to the companion section and having holes through which the prongs project when the sections of the-implement are brought together on a line with each other, and a spring in the rear of the keeper plate adapted to engage the notches in the prongs for yieldingly holding the sections together. I f 2. In a sectional plumb and level in which the sections are fitted together by lap joints, of means for holding the-sections together including a plate attached to'one of the sections and intent of the prong plate is effected by a bolt passing through the section of the implement to engagei a threaded opening in the prong plate.

, 4. In a sectional plumb and level in which the sections are fitted together by lap joints, of means for holding the sections together including a plate attached to-one of the sections and hav ing prongs projectingtherefrom, said prongsbe ing'not'chedat one side thereof, a keeper plate attached to-the companion section and having holes through which the prongsproject when the "sections of the implementare' brought together on a line with each other, a bow-spring in the rear of'the'keeper plate adapted: to engage 30,; the'notches in the prongs for yieldingly holding the sections together, and'means for adjusting the prong'plate comprising a boss at *theback of the plate in the form of a nut, a bo1t-extend-- ing through the section of the implement to enthe boss to prevent bodily outward'movement of thezbolt. I

5-. Ina sectional plumb and level in which the sections ..are fitted together bylap joints, of means for holding the sections togethen-on-a line with each otherincluding a plate attached to. one of the sections'and having prongs-pro jecting therefrom, "said prongs being notched at one side thereof, a'keeper'plate-attached to the companion section and having holes through which the prongs project-whenthe sectionsof of the plates comprising a rear projection having a threaded opening through the same, and

a boltexten'ding through the body of these'cjusting thefplate" in"'respect to engagement of the;prongs.f w THEODORE F. SEIW ELTQ;

tion of the implement and in' engagement. with the threaded opening'in the projection for ad' 

